Colorful maple trees in the Shenandoah Valley

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxk5esMaiO1llVMdB5GozrJaiI6Zxm6mFZ9MAjzeCHLT9h5tQlpNoYvSuO6Qf5cPCFuetm-S3qLP20g3Y0l2HnCqYZm5_UOL3g0UOpzAvv0HrQKg3FKwrcP3KalqiYIg1HFO3XGVZPG1gA/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxk5esMaiO1llVMdB5GozrJaiI6Zxm6mFZ9MAjzeCHLT9h5tQlpNoYvSuO6Qf5cPCFuetm-S3qLP20g3Y0l2HnCqYZm5_UOL3g0UOpzAvv0HrQKg3FKwrcP3KalqiYIg1HFO3XGVZPG1gA/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">In front of Waynesboro High School</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6O2CI7F0mJts0WvtTlnbMVpk448Htyjz4R5LSctEETqJUukkBDba5djX1lxdRaiRwbibC5_98eGWPZmlhXaI6pADErncsQxix6Q4A6a71fTDgQ__BwDPj8wu1N9SGlfR3i4vvEMTB5ZCR/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6O2CI7F0mJts0WvtTlnbMVpk448Htyjz4R5LSctEETqJUukkBDba5djX1lxdRaiRwbibC5_98eGWPZmlhXaI6pADErncsQxix6Q4A6a71fTDgQ__BwDPj8wu1N9SGlfR3i4vvEMTB5ZCR/s640/1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fishersville</div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />October 11, 2013

leaf color October leaf looking Shenandoah Valley tourism Virginia Is For Lovers Colorful maple trees in the Shenandoah Valley

In front of Waynesboro High School Fishersville Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell October 11, 2013

Read more »

Our Well-Grounded Economy

The following chart shows production and nonsupervisory employee hours worked in long-distance general  freight trucking by hours worked in air transportation.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5QkLNNdVV2qceWbwvryRGyXsoqYFmblJFyk3QkmTYaspOB9_LDX2A-IARA5O4xqIrWgMIjv53_czzulScGX2kfVXqWNA-GSjgiuneeHJxqebdpjtDMSShe30wMOs2_Rvs7KThpJ6_yw/s1600/Our+Well-Grounded+Economy.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5QkLNNdVV2qceWbwvryRGyXsoqYFmblJFyk3QkmTYaspOB9_LDX2A-IARA5O4xqIrWgMIjv53_czzulScGX2kfVXqWNA-GSjgiuneeHJxqebdpjtDMSShe30wMOs2_Rvs7KThpJ6_yw/s320/Our+Well-Grounded+Economy.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click to enlarge.</span><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Expectation:</span></b><br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:2010-bald-eagle-with-fish.jpg">Bald Eagle with Fish (Yathin S Krishnappa)</a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOij8Nj_5WfidgMUGiTSanKYk1-gPct11FInjHOz5Y47rBEubR9nvPO7yS_Wv6arc2z2wfUmJ4EHDTswGjD4T0-jlgkiTejQVUn_5xPaNQDL66n4ZytYY69np4C8p_1u49p3Bgzv9qxM/s1600/Eagle.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOij8Nj_5WfidgMUGiTSanKYk1-gPct11FInjHOz5Y47rBEubR9nvPO7yS_Wv6arc2z2wfUmJ4EHDTswGjD4T0-jlgkiTejQVUn_5xPaNQDL66n4ZytYY69np4C8p_1u49p3Bgzv9qxM/s320/Eagle.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Realization:</span></b><br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pygoscelis_papua.jpg">Pygoscelis papua (Stan Shebs)</a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyfb4KkpML40wHXTK8OJEX-fcRe9UqLTONhEffHGqcdA5C0XK_IBpY3RUUcLH244ANWRhLP4pKQFfC0uMdPbXB5gzU6qO_9p7Tlf2OpXdvowsxUhqvPp480qNo8oTVFQeS_0ibbyUm9o/s1600/Penguin.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyfb4KkpML40wHXTK8OJEX-fcRe9UqLTONhEffHGqcdA5C0XK_IBpY3RUUcLH244ANWRhLP4pKQFfC0uMdPbXB5gzU6qO_9p7Tlf2OpXdvowsxUhqvPp480qNo8oTVFQeS_0ibbyUm9o/s320/Penguin.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><b>Source Data:</b><br /><a href="http://www.bls.gov/data/#employment">BLS: Employment</a>

Our Well-Grounded Economy

The following chart shows production and nonsupervisory employee hours worked in long-distance general  freight trucking by hours worked in ...

Read more »

October 11, 2013: Humpback Rock Picnic Area still closed

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRB7QjRwi9ukHmd4XJQ3dRbEBtLUd20Ll9xL8OZVgO1Oc__YExAVY60uuI2X5b8cXTCSPJPiqGsZ7aHTcZKX6I-GEJCje-i8ls0EnhtMOQOeso33F7PLmUiwI1hoz06MMmfpAHwR9HWEd/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRB7QjRwi9ukHmd4XJQ3dRbEBtLUd20Ll9xL8OZVgO1Oc__YExAVY60uuI2X5b8cXTCSPJPiqGsZ7aHTcZKX6I-GEJCje-i8ls0EnhtMOQOeso33F7PLmUiwI1hoz06MMmfpAHwR9HWEd/s400/11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Humpback Rock Picnic Area was closed and fog-shrouded at mid-day on Friday. The locked gate had a sign: "Because of the federal government shutdown, all national parks are closed." This is the time of year when this particular picnic area is packed on weekends with locals from the Valley.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZYTVZOaBvO32F0JTCWI8wCSsd5vGT1PyjpWOUZGx_tVebW-R5mhFWC4xZmpHzWX2tZ4hOGH23qIB2AxEYbExuFVuHU2_TfQ7PEu0yaFB5pr8wzAsRhr3aldHkAvJBGZFAoPHuC4yC3OV/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZYTVZOaBvO32F0JTCWI8wCSsd5vGT1PyjpWOUZGx_tVebW-R5mhFWC4xZmpHzWX2tZ4hOGH23qIB2AxEYbExuFVuHU2_TfQ7PEu0yaFB5pr8wzAsRhr3aldHkAvJBGZFAoPHuC4yC3OV/s400/12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Heavy fog covered the mountains at mid-day on Friday.</div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />October 11, 2013

Blue Ridge Mountains Blue Ridge Parkway government shutdown Humpback Rock picnic area tourism Virginia Is For Lovers October 11, 2013: Humpback Rock Picnic Area still closed

 Humpback Rock Picnic Area was closed and fog-shrouded at mid-day on Friday. The locked gate had a sign: "Because of the federal govern...

Read more »

October 11, 2013: Humpback Rock Visitor Center still closed

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ruykzzr2jqr2xTylN2mDU8GdJPNwRHh3iDvb9POIxtlB68Ss2Eo5J0Mq4OZG-x2bs0ff91wgEqu3EbTKQTBwJw2e1I-31mwWswuvP5bFYnv90WmUUic9Wj8WcI3svaVPUuD0RVqdTqno/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ruykzzr2jqr2xTylN2mDU8GdJPNwRHh3iDvb9POIxtlB68Ss2Eo5J0Mq4OZG-x2bs0ff91wgEqu3EbTKQTBwJw2e1I-31mwWswuvP5bFYnv90WmUUic9Wj8WcI3svaVPUuD0RVqdTqno/s400/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Humpback Rock Visitor Center remains closed during the government shutdown even though travelers stopped, perhaps hoping to find it open. They were disappointed. The Blue Ridge Parkway itself is open.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTW0SGzi5CJMUbI1Tv7bGIqInSzF59yCpzCQZSNlLum7QT5nhwgS8ip2oI9tOCWD8Xol3UHp_A_8SLuz1qvF3AhGGUrEt7iqzr1wLRI6xLSQvldBto4oYeocBKOyyTQqYlREFKNWB2hanx/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTW0SGzi5CJMUbI1Tv7bGIqInSzF59yCpzCQZSNlLum7QT5nhwgS8ip2oI9tOCWD8Xol3UHp_A_8SLuz1qvF3AhGGUrEt7iqzr1wLRI6xLSQvldBto4oYeocBKOyyTQqYlREFKNWB2hanx/s400/7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hand-written sign on restroom doors noted, "Restroom Closed. Please travel to Waynesboro for gas and restrooms. Thank you." Comments added by disappointed patrons.</div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />October 11, 2013

Blue Ridge Mountains Blue Ridge Parkway government shutdown Humpback Rock Visitor Center October 11, 2013: Humpback Rock Visitor Center still closed

Humpback Rock Visitor Center remains closed during the government shutdown even though travelers stopped, perhaps hoping to find it open. Th...

Read more »

October 11, 2013 ... Skyline Drive is still closed

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnNiCp3tWNhS-lUAp-RIs08at7qER1BMPV8iH4kWr2r4B5aEbTkwzSDn2slyH40UaGjQcG1qo3Mn0C3hwRAp63FIBLCneKSvhq_y7ayCYYE90jPIN5MP1FKDXEJLwsorKvhmZhEcv-w69/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnNiCp3tWNhS-lUAp-RIs08at7qER1BMPV8iH4kWr2r4B5aEbTkwzSDn2slyH40UaGjQcG1qo3Mn0C3hwRAp63FIBLCneKSvhq_y7ayCYYE90jPIN5MP1FKDXEJLwsorKvhmZhEcv-w69/s640/4.jpg" width="484" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The entrance to Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive at Afton Mountain is blocked by a locked gate and sign that announces, "CLOSED. Shenandoah National Park is CLOSED due to the government shut down."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVUf2z1EwzcOMvrpM5MNZ19oBNeiL5dbNFxKlaUIFwH2sFer6Mm9s7VW53i3CPh1Q1YSxHkBJUPn4tpdlNsPHr_-mibGjnAG3viNB6qWjpB-bFWLri5aVRxyXI16QbCow9B3gJ4tTcPG2/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVUf2z1EwzcOMvrpM5MNZ19oBNeiL5dbNFxKlaUIFwH2sFer6Mm9s7VW53i3CPh1Q1YSxHkBJUPn4tpdlNsPHr_-mibGjnAG3viNB6qWjpB-bFWLri5aVRxyXI16QbCow9B3gJ4tTcPG2/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCE0v15J07J5zY9mg238EWUsBDUOpfWtoB8ksqBIMK7vKteT9M-d8p1Cq6iSah1IrxnxklEidc7XR9z27S8H7Lwwj7wTgfXr9FEIYEY5vR-HvOtQwte-v-8ES6akSLJbQ_iUnbB5r7_iBp/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCE0v15J07J5zY9mg238EWUsBDUOpfWtoB8ksqBIMK7vKteT9M-d8p1Cq6iSah1IrxnxklEidc7XR9z27S8H7Lwwj7wTgfXr9FEIYEY5vR-HvOtQwte-v-8ES6akSLJbQ_iUnbB5r7_iBp/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />October 11, 2013

Blue Ridge Mountains government shutdown October leaf looking Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive tourism Virginia Is For Lovers October 11, 2013 ... Skyline Drive is still closed

The entrance to Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive at Afton Mountain is blocked by a locked gate and sign that announces, "CLOS...

Read more »

Passion (or lack of)

Fair warning - look elsewhere for the happy blogs :-) <br /><br />A few have commented at one point or another that hubby and I have passion.  Not the fun and exciting kind of passion that you're supposed to have.  But we'd bicker and it would build up tension and then a blowup and then really crazy sex and it would all be okay for a couple days.  And that was the sign of a marriage that was worth fighting for.<br /><br />I felt like this was a disturbing trend in our dealings with each other.  But it's passion, you said.  Yeah, it is, you're right.  There's enough there that we still bother.  The last time this happened was the beginning of August, that first weekend sometime. I thought it was more recently than that but I was wrong.  <br /><br />And before you say it, it is not an option for me to initiate even a hug let alone sex. He refuses to talk about anything like this.  And I haven't let myself go, so if my appearance and shape was acceptable years ago it should be now.<br /><br />So to the point of this...<br /><br />The passion is gone.  We stopped arguing.  Actually we've pretty much stopped talking.  Basic conversation about the kids.  About work stuff.  About dinner.  He asks my opinion about stupid things, then tells me why I'm wrong.  This would usually start a fight but I really don't give a crap about these things.  You know, like the brand of toilet paper... I just do not care.  Not sandpaper and I'm good.<br /><br />So what's happened?  He could really just be done with me.  Maybe the somewhat shaky marriage couldn't withstand me bringing up kinky things.  Maybe he's just kind of become mentally or physically repulsed by me.  He thought he knew me and then I tried to let him in and he wants out. Or maybe it has nothing to do with any of that, but is done with me for other reasons.  This is the man that lived with an ex-girlfriend for over a year because it was easier than telling her to move out.  Or is it that for the first time in quite a while that I'm calmer, a bit more settled, taking things in stride a little more?  Maybe I'm too accepting or complacent right now?  <br /><br />And here is the struggle.  I don't want to fight.  But I do want sex or at least some sort of physical contact.  And so I can engage in the arguing with the hope that it will bait a good makeup fuck like it's some kind of twisted foreplay.  I don't know if it'll still work or not.  It might make things worse and when you're near rock bottom, worse is the end.<br /><br />Is the end what I want?  No, I just want everything to go back to a time long ago when we laughed and did stuff together and enjoyed life.  Back when we didn't live two separate lives.<br /><br />But since that's not possible... well I don't know what that means.  I do know that last night is the last time I ever plan to put myself out there enough that I have to fall asleep with tears in my eyes.  This is bullshit.  Plain and simple.  But other options are way too scary...

Passion (or lack of)

Fair warning - look elsewhere for the happy blogs :-)  A few have commented at one point or another that hubby and I have passion.  Not the ...

Read more »

Photos #8: Irish Farm ... Homeschool Day 2013 at Frontier Culture Museum

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDRVbyH5QzjZtrmaGcVuHWSrhxtAXEXCHUzDNAzrtvUj6k3jOrf1NXb-YGb875JPu2KABbXR9L-UieP5iU2DLHB9bMgdey-fPq_6488W2qdd-jo5RCCIBpqGmQ_DInrlxcUbfUsaQnGGV/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDRVbyH5QzjZtrmaGcVuHWSrhxtAXEXCHUzDNAzrtvUj6k3jOrf1NXb-YGb875JPu2KABbXR9L-UieP5iU2DLHB9bMgdey-fPq_6488W2qdd-jo5RCCIBpqGmQ_DInrlxcUbfUsaQnGGV/s640/1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Irish Farm at the <a href="http://www.frontiermuseum.org/">Frontier Culture Museum</a> in Staunton. Homeschool Day 2013.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbL_G5P2nYP5bZ_-dRlKhbnGgeLoUV-UYuUK7IHbh9Rmucp2q4A94bq7RONdbBU-CrYuI4GNJbXQkpgmyXhgSNJN1ihD4fdsR1cbRIwneOMQz3Bk_mljvaC1tEex6IkS3BhJDD3idp5p9/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbL_G5P2nYP5bZ_-dRlKhbnGgeLoUV-UYuUK7IHbh9Rmucp2q4A94bq7RONdbBU-CrYuI4GNJbXQkpgmyXhgSNJN1ihD4fdsR1cbRIwneOMQz3Bk_mljvaC1tEex6IkS3BhJDD3idp5p9/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeolkhbxVMQH-GVDirrVHBHqZ35lh2kLWHZ64G29XiYw2_rkO4FxDt_ZeAh-ZprYy5vcR-sUeb0jRXOEsOAq0rt8Io2yw1-UeS9SRl5J_F9wTO2tKiHprNzJVJ4BSaSozgeXd2VHL2A-p/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeolkhbxVMQH-GVDirrVHBHqZ35lh2kLWHZ64G29XiYw2_rkO4FxDt_ZeAh-ZprYy5vcR-sUeb0jRXOEsOAq0rt8Io2yw1-UeS9SRl5J_F9wTO2tKiHprNzJVJ4BSaSozgeXd2VHL2A-p/s400/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6wNKHenjqrdm3bPM_-My69TBvQkCSzPrH9xyEg3npKNl_iCSxZHR4EriPvSW36fru0Npcco3FXzSdKL-Si0o1gE8Wq9ryA88eBAo4j7YIvFPwBtZygYA9ntDDcUxn_qIwZLKpw17EXMc/s1600/20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6wNKHenjqrdm3bPM_-My69TBvQkCSzPrH9xyEg3npKNl_iCSxZHR4EriPvSW36fru0Npcco3FXzSdKL-Si0o1gE8Wq9ryA88eBAo4j7YIvFPwBtZygYA9ntDDcUxn_qIwZLKpw17EXMc/s400/20.jpg" width="328" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyB3Nmo0sU11886dDyKT-PfZZAq9y6LAS2XtbjeyzRM6-ClasaklULH7RCQoAnFI8tnnJHkFenEOx-HSr3meVK4rWLjVA3QfkBPWa03j8r_XixZv2TFN53RtKBHcFz6JkTKhFHCBkxe67W/s1600/21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyB3Nmo0sU11886dDyKT-PfZZAq9y6LAS2XtbjeyzRM6-ClasaklULH7RCQoAnFI8tnnJHkFenEOx-HSr3meVK4rWLjVA3QfkBPWa03j8r_XixZv2TFN53RtKBHcFz6JkTKhFHCBkxe67W/s400/21.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4LfeJrpbjnyIt2_Ozf2haaGMTE4VTtCn-Sb0S8620v8JARwUxU9DoVHtE0EPi8F_WNxXDkur1lbafBJRg7m1yT_1yPas3hJOUgxjPpOAWnTBGoztXpRkq8_36CTSvF8mcM3pZjyFDhxV7/s1600/22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4LfeJrpbjnyIt2_Ozf2haaGMTE4VTtCn-Sb0S8620v8JARwUxU9DoVHtE0EPi8F_WNxXDkur1lbafBJRg7m1yT_1yPas3hJOUgxjPpOAWnTBGoztXpRkq8_36CTSvF8mcM3pZjyFDhxV7/s640/22.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcrWYZwcUt5D3vLS3a5SuOV1yaD6QsNV6Sm2b74m97It2WlR7pSXAEfOxDLjFj0aNkjO-ZNOC1A2Uj8aMyBYqL5YFJQkJkLQhVXulT1K343gK492El6bRqiq2aylg2NnbADd0ncLO4doB/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcrWYZwcUt5D3vLS3a5SuOV1yaD6QsNV6Sm2b74m97It2WlR7pSXAEfOxDLjFj0aNkjO-ZNOC1A2Uj8aMyBYqL5YFJQkJkLQhVXulT1K343gK492El6bRqiq2aylg2NnbADd0ncLO4doB/s640/5.jpg" width="561" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipB8nJ1mhoumBRmUXRnZBSq0D0B8s0QdPVAm2gkretrxyYrlsEI0dUsEWWi17q5I4ZKUjXkk3Wi6LqweZ1dmvKUPxK5NE9awhiz_qOND9M4M31UqTUrcDYvDcVp_pgOiqOfDrXzKFwqrc2/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipB8nJ1mhoumBRmUXRnZBSq0D0B8s0QdPVAm2gkretrxyYrlsEI0dUsEWWi17q5I4ZKUjXkk3Wi6LqweZ1dmvKUPxK5NE9awhiz_qOND9M4M31UqTUrcDYvDcVp_pgOiqOfDrXzKFwqrc2/s640/6.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMI2MshPHa0UJ8KU7NuOvKQiUBfMislEUt7VELFj65DbK-4p9Yk1Jg-YYHi6Mcqocr3iKVRnIYDwJzmIaI-iDrv-JsEpcuWhwdNe3Q2o2pvfpMkkebFlsDfpgsuZ4ysDAVEokWgxxlYML/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMI2MshPHa0UJ8KU7NuOvKQiUBfMislEUt7VELFj65DbK-4p9Yk1Jg-YYHi6Mcqocr3iKVRnIYDwJzmIaI-iDrv-JsEpcuWhwdNe3Q2o2pvfpMkkebFlsDfpgsuZ4ysDAVEokWgxxlYML/s640/7.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdK5eKbGnDpkRQJbDvjcvlUYjFbTOpJEDUKekq2SxMuUb0y2yy4H__7B4PT30p9LVtAlybpPBAQlL8N__1hJxwu5FkB7PPm20lK9WavenI9g6IPf9qlorC50iUJlZ9mbN0mwy1ylGTNBRs/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdK5eKbGnDpkRQJbDvjcvlUYjFbTOpJEDUKekq2SxMuUb0y2yy4H__7B4PT30p9LVtAlybpPBAQlL8N__1hJxwu5FkB7PPm20lK9WavenI9g6IPf9qlorC50iUJlZ9mbN0mwy1ylGTNBRs/s400/8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvvCDmux01JQ5JFyu4ATi20c_Yhz4Abax5K6K7allD3OEuD7mFr6JTHzEd9-ayLCVivgT-FVvvHk1gtOecg8L9UBNmjlFPlXlkaRRPIrEwY5hGxUD7F5lI3OC4AvNgxOievJBdbRy8Rou/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvvCDmux01JQ5JFyu4ATi20c_Yhz4Abax5K6K7allD3OEuD7mFr6JTHzEd9-ayLCVivgT-FVvvHk1gtOecg8L9UBNmjlFPlXlkaRRPIrEwY5hGxUD7F5lI3OC4AvNgxOievJBdbRy8Rou/s400/9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFfDuvYil8q_Hc3oCduY4TKkm6X0u3CoP7UNBeSMvzVcdt25mFTbsUDVTkcA8CmGz75XoHoHkwLtF-U7IuJ19KVb2e1M5qi-C-wwg35k0bwT20ELkW0M4AAs4X5Bbyjbv051GfK61FFrO/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFfDuvYil8q_Hc3oCduY4TKkm6X0u3CoP7UNBeSMvzVcdt25mFTbsUDVTkcA8CmGz75XoHoHkwLtF-U7IuJ19KVb2e1M5qi-C-wwg35k0bwT20ELkW0M4AAs4X5Bbyjbv051GfK61FFrO/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />October 4, 2013

Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia Homeschool Day Shenandoah Valley Staunton Photos #8: Irish Farm ... Homeschool Day 2013 at Frontier Culture Museum

The Irish Farm at the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton. Homeschool Day 2013. Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell October 4, 2013

Read more »

Memphis Has Great Techniques To Loss Weight

<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>By Brian Mettel</div><br /><br /> <div class='uawarticle'>We all continually highlight the value of finding a high quality medical spa. Searching for a respected medical spa and a venue with staff members you can trust is of the utmost importance.<br /> <br /> The one largest advantage a medical spa has is the knowledge of the employees. Medical doctors who can listen to your needs and help determine the right treatment are an essential first step. Even though methods are safe and do not lead to injury, it's always an enormous advantage to have properly trained workers who have the skills to utilize different equipment during treatment.<br /> <br /> This article will feature an introduction to things to consider when seeking out a medical spa. We'll be checking out 3 main areas that can be used to recognize reliable place: who manages or operates the spa, what type of coaching does the staff receive, and is their equipment safe and modern? We'll likewise talk about the questions you shouldn't forget to ask in your search for the correct medical spa.<br /> <br /> It's important to know who runs the spa. Medical spas which are owned or operated by doctors are usually the finest ones around. Many, if not all, of the treatments require you to seek advice from a physician first. Talking to a doctor before treatment is required if there's a requirement for prescription medicine and if the therapy may have a severe impact on your skin.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> If doctors look aloof or hard to talk with, it could be a stern warning sign. Make sure to check if this doctor could actively direct you through your treatment cycle in a method you could understand and are at ease with. Once you call in, you should be easily able to arrange an appointment with them, and they must be pleasant and knowledgeable throughout the appointment. Watch out for anyone who keeps expressing 'We can deal with that' - you are searching for an authentic doctor, not an over-promising salesman.<br /> <br /> You likewise would like to make sure that the medical spa's staff members are properly trained. These individuals must have extensive experience in handling equipment for the treatments. Search for a few online reviews about the business on Yelp or just by searching their name online with the word 'reviews'.<br /> <br /> Medical spas normally have photos of their patients that were taken before and after the treatment, and these albums demonstrate the staff's abilities and experience. You could ask them to reveal to you these photographs if you need to know how effectively the staff has worked in earlier treatments. Very poor handling of treatments will merely deliver very poor outcomes.<br /> <br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawresource'><br /> <div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br /> About the Author:<br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawlinks'>Learn more about <a href='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tbiCcAf_mI'>lipo in Memphis</a> and how you can get <a href='http://www.youtube.com/user/ExpertLocalBusiness'>liposuction</a> done in Memphis.</div><br /> </div><br />

Memphis Has Great Techniques To Loss Weight

By Brian Mettel We all continually highlight the value of finding a high quality medical spa. Searching for a respected medical spa and ...

Read more »

Guidelines On How To Slim Down Without Having Fad Diet Plans That Don't Support

<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>By Daniel Will</div><br /><br /> <div class='uawarticle'>You might think that you can't do this any more. Do you experience feeling your excess fat is a huge difficulty? You may have much more ache within your joints, have gotten to expended additional money on clothes, or are not able to end thinking about weight. Follow the recommendations listed here to shed pounds.<br /> <br /> Cutting your day-to-day calorie intake will probably be a highly effective method of weight-loss. A good standard guideline is usually to reduced the volume of calories you take in each day by about 500 calorie consumption.<br /> <br /> Don't be embarrassed in case you have one half a dish of food items remaining while you are on a fat loss plan. A great deal of kids are trained to end their dishes, which is actually a great thing as long as the dish posesses a wholesome section. Consuming food house along after eating out is flawlessly satisfactory. By no means information your self due to the fact the food is there. It is vital that you identify once you truly feel full to be able to give up eating.<br /> <br /> A great idea for losing weight is to go out with close friends who are far more productive. Once we surrounds ourselves with individuals who are a lot more active, we are more likely to be energetic. Getting together with a couch potato will more than likely impact anyone to curl on the couch using them.<br /> <br /> It's effortless to shed pounds should you keep lively. Make sure you are up and relocating as much as possible. Action through the day maintains your metabolic process up, and allows your body to use up more calories all day long.<br /> <br /> Path the energy you eat. Get out there and obtain and affordable spiral laptop or journal. Make use of the laptop computer like a foods journal. Record specifically the foods you eat, such as servings and unhealthy calories for every single food object. Doing so will assist you to assess your improvement and check your eating routine so that you can make adjustments as required.<br /> <br /> A pedometer can record your jogging when you find yourself shedding pounds. Try out walking ten thousand actions each day. If you're conscious of how many you stroll generally, try demanding you to ultimately stroll much more. With every step, you might be advancing with your workout goals and receiving closer to your target body weight.<br /> <br /> Trying to keep energetic is an extremely excellent method. Avoid sitting during the day. Your metabolism will continue to work a little quicker in the event you maintain active given that you will burn fat through the day. As a result this will give you the cabability to try to eat around you are used to and still have the ability to lose fat.<br /> <br /> You will help you to flatten your belly whilst sitting down at your workplace! When flattening your belly, it is advisable to concentrate on the transversus abdominis muscle. You can reinforce it by sucking your stomach switch inward as far as you can manage and keeping it in alongside your backbone whilst you breathe inside and out a couple of times.<br /> <br /> When you are staying on a diet program and anticipate planning to some celebration which will be helping plenty of meals, it is wise to consume a pretty large food instantly before leaving to visit it. It will help you stay away from having lots of snack foods and sweets at the get together. You can even need to have some red wine instead of combined refreshments or alcohol.<br /> <br /> Seldom used calorie consumption do not just go apart, these are kept as extra fat. Take this into account to help you steer clear of ingesting food in the event you are not going to be lively pursuing the meal. Only try to eat when you know you're continue to will be active to get a period. Go for a walk or workout so that you will start using these calories.<br /> <br /> When you read through this write-up, you are most likely ready to lose excess weight. It is actually going for a toll on the physique in addition to your bank account. The information you may have read in this article ought to get you going on shedding pounds.<br /> <br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawresource'><br /> <div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br /> About the Author:<br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawlinks'>You can read more about this topic on <a href="http://www.acaiextract.me">Acai Extract</a>.</div><br /> </div><br />

Guidelines On How To Slim Down Without Having Fad Diet Plans That Don't Support

By Daniel Will You might think that you can't do this any more. Do you experience feeling your excess fat is a huge difficulty? You ...

Read more »

Teamsters want gap exposed between worker, CEO pay

Teamsters know firsthand what happens to workers when a CEO is allowed to loot his company: The workers get less when the CEO gets more.<br /><br />In the case of McKesson Corp., <a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/09/McKesson-CEO-jaw-dropping-pay.html" rel="nofollow">CEO John Hammergren was planning on taking home $51.7 million</a>. Here's what he did to deserve that enormous compensation: preside over a company that paid the government $200 million in fines last year to settle charges for Medicaid fraud and price fixing. Workers who voted to become <a href="http://www.teamster.org/content/teamsters-protest-mckessons-worker-abuse-and-executive-pay-shareholder-meeting" rel="nofollow">Teamsters, meanwhile, can't afford healthcare and are facing McKesson's high-priced union busters</a>.<br /><br />Shareholders knew about the disparity and <a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/08/McKesson-shareholders-reject-CEO-pay.html" rel="nofollow">voted against McKesson's lavish pay</a> at the July shareholder meeting.<br /><br />Exposing the gross inequality between CEOs and workers <i>can</i> shame companies into paying them less. That's why the Teamsters came out in support of an SEC proposal to require companies reveal the disparity between CEO pay and worker pay.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.teamster.org/sites/teamster.org/files/IBT_Hall_Letter_to_SEC_on_pay_ratio_disclosure_102013.pdf" rel="nofollow">Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Ken Hall sent a letter</a> to the SEC endorsing its proposal on the CEO-to-worker pay ratio. According to <a href="http://teamster.org/">teamster.org</a>,<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">The International Brotherhood of Teamsters supports the SEC’s proposal to require corporations to reveal the difference between the pay of their CEO and their average workers. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">The SEC rule is required by the Dodd-Frank Act, which became law more than three years ago. Once the rule is written, investors such as Teamster benefit funds will have:<br /><ul><li>a better way to assess the board of directors who set executive pay;</li><li>a correlation between compensation practices throughout companies and morale and productivity; and,</li><li>an important way to measure CEO pay for advisory proxy votes on executive compensation plans.</li></ul>Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Ken Hall said the Teamsters’ perspective is important as long-term investors protecting the retirement security of hundreds of thousands of American workers.<br />“The rule will help solve the problem of excessive CEO pay, which harms our funds’ investments, the sustainability of U.S. corporations and the employment and retirement security of Teamster members,” Hall said.</blockquote>We'll keep you posted on the SEC's progress in laying down the rule. Because you know those big corporations don't like it one little bit.

CEO Pay McKesson Teamsters want gap exposed between worker, CEO pay

Teamsters know firsthand what happens to workers when a CEO is allowed to loot his company: The workers get less when the CEO gets more. In ...

Read more »

Obesity is not a disease » The Spectator

'Well, what diets have you tried so far?' asked the GP, flicking through the patient's notes. I was an innocent trainee doctor on my general practice placement at the time and watched the interaction carefully, sensing a row was about to ensue. 'Look, I don't want to go on a diet, I want you to prescribe me these,' snapped the patient, bringing out a neatly folded page she had torn out of a magazine. The GP, rolling his eyes at me, took the paper but didn't read it. I suspected he'd read it before. This was yet another example of what's becoming a very British epidemic: obesity being self-diagnosed as disease.<br /><br><br /><br>The doctor attempted to explain that tablets really aren't suitable in her case. As well as having some potentially nasty side effects, they're expensive to prescribe, and don't offer a long-term solution. This was clearly not what the woman wanted to hear. 'Fine then, don't help me, see if I care. I'll get my sister to get them off her GP — he gives her whatever she wants'; and she stormed out. It struck me as bizarre that while some people using the NHS are dangerously malnourished, other people are desperate to take tablets to ensure that their food passes through their body unabsorbed, while the taxpayer foots the bill.<br /><br><br /><br>It happens all the time. The patients who are not interested in changing their diet in any way, demanding to have their cake, eat it and then pop a pill so that the calories never touch their waistline. And as a result, Britain now combines austerity with obesity. The majority of us are now overweight or obese — a third of children are considered too heavy. It costs an extra £5 billion a year, and 300 hospital admissions a day are directly due to obesity. To pick up the newspapers is to witness a country adjusting itself to losing a national battle of the bulge.<br /><br><br /><br>Take the East Midlands Ambulance Service. It emerged this week that it has been picking up so many fat patients — weighing in excess of the 28-stone maximum — that it needs a new fleet. It has, hitherto, been struggling along with just one ambulance for fatties (a 'bariatric' vehicle), but now thinks all 272 of its ambulances need to be upgraded with double-wide stretchers for patients who (it says) can weigh in at 55 stone. The plan will cost £27 million.<br /><br><br /><br>Once the obese patient is in hospital, a whole new set of equipment is required: reinforced operating tables, sturdier trollies, longer needles and even wider MRI scanners. There is a great demand for bariatric surgeons. One of them, Sally Norton, recently wrote in the Royal College of Surgeons' house journal that without special equipment for the obese, there may be 'enquiries into the potential use of veterinary or zoological scanners, with resultant loss of dignity for the patient'. There is a cost to all this: in the kit, and in operations like gastric bypass operations, which have increased sevenfold over the last seven years.<br /><br><br /><br>Moving obese patients out of their house can be too difficult for the NHS. Recently the fire service had to demolish two walls of a house in south Wales so that a 63-stone teenager could be taken to hospital. This required more than 40 emergency service workers at an estimated cost of £100,000. Over the past five years, fire services have been called to more than 2,700 incidents to assist 'severely obese' people, including some who had got stuck in the bath. Rescuing fatties is now a routine operation, with its own entry in the Fire Brigade incident reporting system (filed under 'bariatric persons').<br /><br><br /><br>So what to do? The government spends money asking us to eat 'five a day' fruit and veg, but it seems to have no effect. Nottingham, the fattest region in Britain, recently decided to spend £500,000 on replacing pavements in areas with particularly fat pedestrians, to try and encourage people to walk more. Our landscape is being, quite literally, reshaped in order to accommodate the obese. In the past few years, we have moved from being outraged about the epidemic to just planning around it. Like a middle-aged man deciding to eat what he wants and let himself go, Britain is pulling on a pair of tracksuit bottoms and heading to the fridge.<br /><br><br /><br>It need not be this way. For too long, my fellow doctors have pussyfooted around their obese patients, too scared to confront the, er, elephant in the room. They don't want to cause offence. Unbelievably, draft guidelines announced last year by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence and Health (Nice) suggested that doctors should even avoid the use of the term 'obese' for fear that larger patients might be upset. Instead, Nice recommended advising corpulent patients that they should seek a 'healthier weight'.<br /><br><br /><br>But nice euphemisms mean that people don't confront reality. I'm not going to stop diagnosing cancer just because people don't like hearing the dreaded word. So why should it be different when informing people that they are obese? Sometimes morbidly so. What Nice is delicately skirting round is what many doctors, nurses and dieticians will confirm: people don't like being told that they are overweight, even if it's objectively clearly the case. And by pretending that this is a disease, the doctors are making it even worse.<br /><br><br /><br>There's something comforting about blaming obesity on genes. It enables people to relinquish responsibility for their weight, which can be seen as outside their control. It's nothing new, either. Years ago, fat people blamed their 'glands'. When I started medical school, I patiently waited for us to be taught about these magical 'glands' that made people fat. I'm still waiting. Even when people have problems with an underactive thyroid, which can slow the metabolism and result in weight gain, this can be treated with thyroid replacement tablets and the metabolism returns to normal. As a rule, however, fat people have one thing in common: they eat more than they need to.<br /><br><br /><br>Certainly some people metabolise food at a different rate to others, meaning they are more likely to lay down fat stores than other people. But this is a reason to eat less, not to become fat. You cannot get away from the basic biology of the human body — fat is simply stored excess energy, and weight gain is only possible when the total amount of energy consumed exceeds the total amount of energy expended. Even those who have a genetic predisposition to become fat are not slaves to their DNA.<br /><br><br /><br>An in-depth study published last year, which looked at the genes of more than 20,000 people and was conducted at the Medical Research Council's epidemiology unit in Cambridge, found some people are predisposed to be overweight. But an active lifestyle and reducing food intake can counteract that. Simple. While some will be annoyed by this research, I find it empowering. The idea that our genes control us is profoundly depressing. After all, there is more to being human than a few strands of DNA.<br /><br><br /><br>The rate of people considered clinically obese has risen from around 1 to 2 per cent of the population in the 1960s to over 25 per cent now. Why? A simple answer would be lifestyle, but it's actually a little more complicated. A fascinating survey conducted by the Department of Health compared data collected from 1967 and 2010. It showed that, while people back then were slimmer, they ate fattier foods and had access to far fewer gyms. We eat better now, we work out more. But we live relatively sedentary lives. Only three out of ten households had a car then, compared to seven out of ten now. While 75 per cent of people walked for at least half an hour a day in the 1960s, this is only about 40 per cent now.<br /><br><br /><br>What really stands out, more than the lifestyle differences, is the sharp contrast in the attitudes towards obesity between the two different eras. The 1967 survey found that nine out of ten people had attempted to lose weight in the past year, compared with barely half of adults questioned in 2010. Perhaps most tellingly though, 40 years ago only 7 per cent of those people who considered themselves overweight had failed to do anything about it, compared with nearly half now.<br /><br><br /><br>It would be easy to blame Britain's fatness on lifestyle changes, but the worst of it is attitude. People just aren't bothering to lose weight any more. Perhaps obesity is viewed as more normal. But this is also down to the attitude that we doctors increasingly encounter in our consulting rooms: the reluctance of patients to accept that ailments can be blamed on their behaviour, for which they are reluctant to take responsibility.<br /><br><br /><br>Patients blame obesity on the government, cunning food manufacturers, their parents and their genes. They demand fat-loss pills on the NHS and stomach-stapling surgery as a right. In a world where health care is becoming consumerised, patients see themselves as customers. There's not much demand for hard truths.<br /><br><br /><br>America has severe obesity problems, and seems resigned to them. But Britain has a National Health Service, and therefore a far higher capacity to change. It ought to be easy. Doctors should be required to tell patients a blunt truth: if you're fat, eat less, exercise more, or both. And if you keep guzzling the tasty treats, you will die earlier. It's not a disease, it's a mindset — and that means it can be changed. We doctors need to be a little less understanding, a little more judgmental, and realise that our oath — 'do no harm' — must come before our desire to save the feelings of our patients. The truth can be the hardest drug to administer. But holding our tongues, prescribing the fat pills and bankrupting the NHS in the process is the worst solution of all.<br /><br><br /><br><a href="http://www.spectator.co.uk/features/9049971/the-battle-of-the-bulge/">http://www.spectator.co.uk/features/9049971/the-battle-of-the-bulge/</a>?

Obesity is not a disease » The Spectator

'Well, what diets have you tried so far?' asked the GP, flicking through the patient's notes. I was an innocent trainee doctor o...

Read more »

Top Selling American Idol Album This Week - Same One From 75 Weeks Ago!

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLD_Ljo6koW7J0AqO7oUXg9ff0BiFyaMQQux93dnIfOx6rpwDCqdZ3NMLnswVJ6ZbqC1CWOhdRsc5WwgaZFBk5Y1OvkiIO_F1Hd10OoVPyCc-yiXfKoCDLTdCEkynOUgwBlOkxZy6emepN/s1600/bb200-2013-10-11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLD_Ljo6koW7J0AqO7oUXg9ff0BiFyaMQQux93dnIfOx6rpwDCqdZ3NMLnswVJ6ZbqC1CWOhdRsc5WwgaZFBk5Y1OvkiIO_F1Hd10OoVPyCc-yiXfKoCDLTdCEkynOUgwBlOkxZy6emepN/s400/bb200-2013-10-11.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">green = Mandisa, lt blue = Carrie, maroon = Phillip, dk green = Kelly</td></tr></tbody></table>This week there is again one American Idol <a href="http://www.mjsbigblog.com/billboard-chart-date-101913.htm" target="_blank">among the top 100 selling albums</a> in the United States, but amazingly that album is one that was released 75 weeks ago, "Blown Away" by Carrie Underwood. As Mandisa's "Overcomer" drops to #104 from #92 last week (after five weeks in the Top 100), Carrie leads the Idols on the chart, just as she did when her album debuted at #1 in May 2012. That is pretty incredible. The other two Idols on the chart this week are Phillip Phillips at #107 (an improvement from his #117 last week), and Kelly Clarkson, who is just barely in the Top 200 at #193 with her greatest hits album from last November. Luckily Phillip should see a boost with his new "special edition" of his album, and Kelly will see a new boost with the release of her Christmas album "Wrapped in Red" in a few more weeks.<br /><br />Now all eyes will be on the early estimates next week of sales numbers for Scotty McCreery's "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EV1AT96/" target="_blank">See You Tonight</a>" album as it is released Tuesday, October 15. It is good to see that he is actually getting a <a href="http://idolforums.com/index.php?showtopic=694002" target="_blank">good amount of promotion</a>, even if his single is just now starting to move up the airplay charts. I doubt he will hit the lofty initial numbers from "Clear As Day", but as long as he beats his "Christmas With Scotty McCreery" numbers from last year (which he most likely should), I think his label will be pleased. It is hard to complain about a gold certified Christmas album! If Scotty can again find strong holiday sales this year (for a third autumn in a row) he is most likely "gold" bound again. The bigger question will be if he can extend his momentum into 2014 with a second, bigger hit from the album so he can hit platinum for a second time.

Top Selling American Idol Album This Week - Same One From 75 Weeks Ago!

green = Mandisa, lt blue = Carrie, maroon = Phillip, dk green = Kelly This week there is again one American Idol among the top 100 selling a...

Read more »

Is Congress driving you to drink? Tell them

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbxI5-Mty_TNoDnUUY9YitnV2Kmh9M7SISfu5OyFZWCaxX52dcbu2Ta68BpUBlwn0S8aMn5CcZuhhAKYuTa_cOitZp7tDIGNDv5fnh9Ju8BouVjLof-yV5fovHZBBzCs0D1qqxouNffRJ/s1600/drunk_dial_congress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbxI5-Mty_TNoDnUUY9YitnV2Kmh9M7SISfu5OyFZWCaxX52dcbu2Ta68BpUBlwn0S8aMn5CcZuhhAKYuTa_cOitZp7tDIGNDv5fnh9Ju8BouVjLof-yV5fovHZBBzCs0D1qqxouNffRJ/s320/drunk_dial_congress.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s usually not a good idea to make phone calls when you’re drunk (i.e. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drunk_dialing" rel="nofollow">drunk dialing</a>). But if the person you’re calling belongs to a dysfunctional political party that's driving America off a cliff, then we say go for it.<br /><br />A new website called <a href="http://drunkdialcongress.org/" rel="nofollow">Drunk Dial Congress</a> allows you to type in your phone number so you can be connected to a member of Congress.<br /><br /> But you’re encouraged to have a drink or two before laying in to lawmakers with some of these talking points: </span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you can <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/10/03/228771578/sharp-words-over-shutdown-when-lawmaker-visits-wwii-memorial" rel="nofollow">yell at a Park Ranger</a> after forcing the Government to shut down then I get to yell at you</span></blockquote><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: inherit;">How dare you <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/healthcare/326691-time-for-congress-to-put-veterans-funding-first" rel="nofollow">not fund Veterans</a></span></blockquote><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You jerks are costing the country <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/business/money-nothing-government-shutdown-costs-12-5-million-hour-8C11308802" rel="nofollow">$12 million bucks per hour</a>!</span></blockquote><span style="font-family: inherit;"><blockquote class="tr_bq">You guys <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/03/capitol-police-congress-pay_n_4040719.html" rel="nofollow">aren't funding the police</a> that are protecting you??? </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">My grandma <a href="http://www.healio.com/hematology-oncology/practice-management/news/online/%7B137dc175-e6d5-4d9f-bb5c-4a39a8ad4dbc%7D/medical-community-speaks-out-on-effects-of-government-shutdown" rel="nofollow">can't get her cancer treatment</a> </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">Why don't you make yourself useful and <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/south-carolina-man-mow-lawn-lincoln-memorial-article-1.1480998" rel="nofollow">at least mow the lawn</a>?</blockquote>It’s only fair that Congress should hear from angry Americans -- especially during happy hour. Because, as the website points out, members of Congress were found <a href="http://www.salon.com/2013/10/01/grayson_blames_shutdown_on_gop_literally_drinking_on_the_job/" rel="nofollow">boozing up</a> right after they shut down the government and put 800,000 people out of work:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">As Members of Congress quickly returned from their final symbolic, non-effective and otherwise useless votes to avert a government shutdown, the heavy drinking began. Reports of our representatives getting plastered on the government's dime -- the one we have left -- have come streaming in from witnesses all over Capitol Hill.  </blockquote> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">And you certainly don’t have to be a furloughed government worker to be pissed off at Congress. The shutdown being orchestrated by anti-worker Republican extremists is hurting everything from <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/va-chief-shutdown-could-hit-millions-vets-072429820--politics.html" rel="nofollow">veterans’ health care</a> and <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/08/government-shutdown-nlrb_n_4066073.html" rel="nofollow">workers’ rights</a> to <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/10/08/10-ways-the-shutdown-is-making-us-less-safe/" rel="nofollow">food and transportation safety</a>.<br /><br />Drunk Dial Congress also includes some interesting drink recipes. But while you're having fun, don't forget to enjoy some of the <a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/09/teamster-beer-to-enjoy.html" rel="nofollow">great brews made and distributed by Teamsters</a>.<br /><br />So drink up -- responsibly, of course -- and give Congress a piece of your mind.</span>

anti-worker extremists beer Congress government shutdown Is Congress driving you to drink? Tell them

It’s usually not a good idea to make phone calls when you’re drunk (i.e. drunk dialing ). But if the person you’re calling belongs to a dysf...

Read more »

VIDEO: David Tennant Pays Tribute To Patrick Troughton On The Doctors Revisited

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfawqwFNwlDW6FUKNYlqOk-6i7nKjXIYDl-3WjI9wlUhxJBr6r2lifGFtgghIZqS_vFRjiNSpWBrN2-ywRbu-IvXcNGIMfmjM5iydyVqTuAszc_nMhQJoqHb7pRbigVBzWs03cnGRYxA8/s1600/David+Tennant+Celebs+Pirates+Adventure+Scientists+6O6PigHMK38l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfawqwFNwlDW6FUKNYlqOk-6i7nKjXIYDl-3WjI9wlUhxJBr6r2lifGFtgghIZqS_vFRjiNSpWBrN2-ywRbu-IvXcNGIMfmjM5iydyVqTuAszc_nMhQJoqHb7pRbigVBzWs03cnGRYxA8/s640/David+Tennant+Celebs+Pirates+Adventure+Scientists+6O6PigHMK38l.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s7/doctor-who/news/a522942/doctor-who-david-tennant-pays-tribute-to-patrick-troughton-video.html" target="_blank">Digital Spy</a> have uploaded a clip of David Tennant paying tribute to Patrick Troughton. The clip is taken from The Doctors Revisited: The Second Doctor which will premiere in the UK on Watch this weekend.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fafafa; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the legacy that Patrick Troughton left <i>Doctor Who</i>, David was beyond generous in his recognition of what the actor had done for the show and the role of the Doctor.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fafafa; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I think Patrick Troughton created the Doctor as he is now." he says, "William Hartnell created something that was unique and brilliant, but actually the Doctor we recognise today is much more Patrick Troughton’s Doctor. We’ve all sort of done our version of kind of what Patrick Troughton did. He gave the show a way to keep going. He allows it to still exist.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fafafa; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fafafa; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fafafa; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"If Patrick Troughton hadn’t done what he did so confidently  and with such charm and so brilliantly I wouldn’t be sitting here today."</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fafafa; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fafafa; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first two episodes of The Doctors Revisted focusing on William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton wil air on Watch on Saturday and Sunday at 2pm.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fafafa; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fafafa; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another Doctor Who documentary Doctor Who Explained will premiere on Watch on Saturday at 5.30pm.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fafafa; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0" height="348" id="flashObj" width="618"><param name="movie" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="flashVars" value="videoId=2736158363001&playerID=871166280001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAACkAQxo~,JbFjHxgqCuak3gK2T7u3p0eDyamGmIu2&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" /><param name="base" value="http://admin.brightcove.com" /><param name="seamlesstabbing" value="false" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="swLiveConnect" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=2736158363001&playerID=871166280001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAACkAQxo~,JbFjHxgqCuak3gK2T7u3p0eDyamGmIu2&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="618" height="348" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object>

David Tennant Doctor Who Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Patrick Troughton The Doctors Revisited VIDEO VIDEO: David Tennant Pays Tribute To Patrick Troughton On The Doctors Revisited

Digital Spy have uploaded a clip of David Tennant paying tribute to Patrick Troughton. The clip is taken from The Doctors Revisited: The Se...

Read more »

VIDEO: Richard II - Production Diary 7

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bmBoJ-afcZ7WUE02wLNOggj86eNxaothvntJlKXKVHW7E2leDL3R4nKEB3qwkpdrwsKzkNv4L9DvlqLtLN49YIysM7Y1cRRNMXFe6vSTpZPQhf0uP0xLW9DJCjHeHHloCBAdw3iVShM/s1600/prod7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bmBoJ-afcZ7WUE02wLNOggj86eNxaothvntJlKXKVHW7E2leDL3R4nKEB3qwkpdrwsKzkNv4L9DvlqLtLN49YIysM7Y1cRRNMXFe6vSTpZPQhf0uP0xLW9DJCjHeHHloCBAdw3iVShM/s1600/prod7.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">n this week's production diary video from the Royal Shakespeare Company </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Simon Ash, Senior Production Manager for the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, describes the last week of technical work before Richard II opens.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">'Are we going to be ready to get the actors on stage on Monday evening at 6 o'clock?' he asks. His explanation of the process of bringing the show to stage makes clear it's not an easy question to answer.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Simon and the team have been planning this work for at least three months. In the week before the show opens, six departments - 40 to 50 people - will be working in the forestage, auditorium and backstage of the the theatre for 12 hours a day. Transport, facilities, equipment and scenery all come together. Watch the video to see it happen.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Richard II plays in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon from 10 October to 16 November 2013. It transfers to the Barbican 9 December to 25 January. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">For more information visit http://onscreen.rsc.org.uk/richard-ii/</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/wa0-_arRG64?rel=0" width="480"></iframe>

David Tennant Richard II Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre VIDEO VIDEO: Richard II - Production Diary 7

I n this week's production diary video from the Royal Shakespeare Company  Simon Ash, Senior Production Manager for the Royal Shakespear...

Read more »

From Lab to Guggenheim

The exhibition <a href="http://www.guggenheim.org/new-york/exhibitions/on-view/participatory-city-100-urban-trends-from-the-bmw-guggenheim-lab"><i>Participatory City: 100 Urban Trends from the BMW Guggenheim Lab</i></a> opens today at the Guggenheim in New York City, running until January 5, 2014. It comes a little over two years after the <a href="http://archidose.blogspot.com/2011/08/bmw-guggenheim-lab.html">launch of the BMW Guggenheim Lab</a> on an empty plot of city land in the East Village. As one of the presenters in yesterday's press preview noted, the size and proportions of the gallery space in the Guggenheim are about the same as those of the <a href="http://www.bow-wow.jp/">Atelier Bow-Wow</a> pavilion that called NYC home before heading to Berlin for the second Lab installation (the third pavilion, in Mumbai, was also designed by Atelier Bow-Wow but was built from bamboo instead of carbon fiber). I couldn't help mashing these two environments together to see just how close this relationship is:<br /><br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqHBR09oN9caA-jAymqUR-exQix_8ChEvKlYi6Q9b6p0WaxmyQiDlTxHIKA1Y1rkV2XcKZRoBQI3-idYew2j4w9ZmWWZTZyLxzw8qjGXyolouxk9HFcYO_T1KnoMCNGScs4wHQWZp8tiE5/s1600/LAB-Guggenheim.gif" /><br /><br />The exhibition—organized by <a href="http://www.guggenheim.org/new-york/about/staff-profiles/curators/maria-nicanor">Maria Nicanor</a>, Curator, BMW Guggenheim Lab (with David van der Leer, formerly of the Guggenheim) and Associate Curator, Architecture and Urbanism, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum—does a good job of documenting what happened in the New York City, Berlin and Mumbai Labs over the course of two years.<br /><br />The exhibition includes some introductory text and videos:<br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMQ6gaDazykbjf_cM7E437T04ictu1vUt7Avp90TUasW8JxupcWCqPAM8ucM5LK484-jYYW7oQQ2CvuIcWlCF-X8asdtrC-DICqXkYWoxWUf0HMqXuy1ldM9YucA1R7pBhHYVnOWo63TC/s1600/P1011561a.jpg" /><br /><br />Clips of talks at the three venues:<br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Lb6aoIa0a2pTVAlJC2eO6BsLvym0SXiTgA_zH1BIuSyus5Nrg_3vN3M9bXlUqsjmXY1uK4EjU8LTmD7VH0m_cBnlvju5LpQvDY1PaJiq7nmkgI3Ne02pPkz6hm3RlmNtGzBP7dIt2Zb7/s1600/P1011559a.jpg" /><br /><br />Screen walls cycling through the <a href="http://www.bmwguggenheimlab.org/100urbantrends/">100 Urban Trends</a> determined over the course of the Lab's existence:<br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABYq6MrQyK_VSCCGvt5cfq_eXWpMlMHL6xEomVxie8bUumJ0Q8oJb6-Cb0IBeE-wIGfy8PVofMHgdtreOeuCpKhY7Zss6R-4nZdnH21aS2lOweT-vEQxhjh44wgl1fZ1_WNtSiJf9UH1Z/s1600/P1011562a.jpg" /><br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2WVToTPuZjL3PEyOV8wlJNI1Tbap44wO0mIKYQOUteiaI_mA21xWkAem9brMU8NP8p8c9I7EGYZ2DG3HDJ4flr8Jxsb5WZ7S_HFJPEcGFNn_ZtTV1sIQE_2n_P3J2M3yy-a4n6vr5cDrz/s1600/P1011569a.jpg" /><br /><br />And a wall charting each trend and its relationship to other trends:<br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJxC5i8-sQbQYHPbCfHP1wkO31igP2fsLT_xIIJhDRI0bS3NUcIVtTjGf7-3q0dT3qDQ8HqhLWowyohXcIh9haY4CsYvRU36na8o02p8kKpwkeH84t2mg3k3xR3EjFZZPbXl1fpJpi1ah/s1600/P1011565a.jpg" /><br /><br />On this last I'm a bit skeptical of the connections, since the lines drawn between the trends in the program pamphlet* do not coincide with the lines on the wall. Are the lines arbitrary, merely existing to illustrate the complexity of urban life (and create a strong visual)? Or do the connections constantly change depending on the context and the values we ascribe them?<br /><br />All tolled, I wish there was more participation in the exhibition rather than the more passive engagement of watching and reading. The Lab was all about participation, so it would have been beneficial to extend this into the gallery. To me the exhibition says that the Lab's work is done, and no more participation will happen (beyond some interaction in the two scheduled lectures*); and that the Lab's participation, which worked toward making cities better places for people, does not have a place inside a museum. In the case of the latter, this must be why Nicanor and van der Leer broke outside of the walls of the Guggenheim to directly engage the city and allow for the spontaneous to happen within tightly scheduled programs.<br /><br />*The exhibition also consists of <a href="http://www.guggenheim.org/new-york/exhibitions/on-view/participatory-city-100-urban-trends-from-the-bmw-guggenheim-lab/programs">a program of lectures and film screenings</a>.

From Lab to Guggenheim

The exhibition Participatory City: 100 Urban Trends from the BMW Guggenheim Lab opens today at the Guggenheim in New York City, running unt...

Read more »

The truth behind the "Grand Bargain" hoax

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Rui5m_DRdvg" width="420"></iframe><br /><br />The so-called <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ben-veghte/grand-bargain_b_4060292.html" rel="nofollow">Grand Bargain</a> that we should all be afraid of may be looming as a solution to the government shutdown. The Grand Bargain is more of a<a href="http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=10822&updaterx=2013-10-07+14%3A55%3A58" rel="nofollow"> grand betrayal</a>, really, and would involve Democrats agreeing to cut Social Security and Medicare. Not something we care for.<br /><br />Here's an excellent video that exposes the truth behind the Grand Bargain, aka the drive to shrink the U.S. government and destroy the middle class. It's masterminded by greedy old billionaires like <a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/03/memo-to-billionaires-dont-lecture-us-on.html" rel="nofollow">Pete Peterson</a> and the<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.890625px;"> </span><strike style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.890625px;"><a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2011/10/bombshell-kochs-sold-oil-equipment-to.html" style="color: #336699;">Benedict Arnold</a></strike> Koch brothers. They get their kicks lecture the rest of us on living beyond our means. <br /><br />These people are even worse than the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robber_baron" rel="nofollow">robber baron</a>s of the Gilded Age. At least their 19th-century forefathers didn't shut down the government.

government shutdown grand bargain social security The truth behind the "Grand Bargain" hoax

The so-called Grand Bargain  that we should all be afraid of may be looming as a solution to the government shutdown. The Grand Bargain is m...

Read more »

Tenth Doctor Month: Quote Of The Day #11

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvWMUCHZNIptQ3UHUsrEzYxE7xd6Db5_BHCPisJZZqCPf1KheIQUyMXvy6lQ4bzfneB30yNhMAp9DWeL-UHxsZPg8oxW9U88Bri9wGJ_4H0anoDFhwucF6XBVM8fDogaOoy3rEWnwW4U/s1600/lovemon3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvWMUCHZNIptQ3UHUsrEzYxE7xd6Db5_BHCPisJZZqCPf1KheIQUyMXvy6lQ4bzfneB30yNhMAp9DWeL-UHxsZPg8oxW9U88Bri9wGJ_4H0anoDFhwucF6XBVM8fDogaOoy3rEWnwW4U/s640/lovemon3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><br /></strong></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><br /></strong></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Abzorbaloff</strong><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">: You see I've read about you, Doctor. I've studied you. So passionate, so sweet. You wouldn't let an innocent man die. And I'll absorb him. Unless you give yourself to me.</span><br /><b>The Doctor</b><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><b>: </b>Sweet, maybe. Passionate, I suppose. But don't ever mistake that for nice. Do what you want.</span><br style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;" /><strong style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Abzorbaloff</strong><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">: He'll die, Doctor!</span><br style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;" /><b>The Doctor</b><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><b>:</b> I know.</span><br style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;" /><strong style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Abzorbaloff</strong><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">: So be it.</span><br style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;" /><b>The Doctor</b><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><b>: </b>Mind you, the others might having something to say. </span></span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love & Monsters (2006)</span></span>

David Tennant Doctor Who Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Tenth Doctor Quotes Tenth Doctor Month: Quote Of The Day #11

Abzorbaloff : You see I've read about you, Doctor. I've studied you. So passionate, so sweet. You wouldn't let an innocent man d...

Read more »

Madison supervisors ask Congress to reopen Shenandoah National Park

Wouldn't it be great to see every county adjoining Shenandoah National Park take the same action as the Madison County supervisors by asking Congress to reopen Shenandoah National Park [<a href="http://www.dailyprogress.com/starexponent/news/local_news/madison-supes-to-congress-reopen-shenandoah-national-park/article_e0ae5cf2-31dd-11e3-96ce-001a4bcf6878.html">link</a>]? For many, it's difficult to watch as nearby businesses suffer from the closure and endure the lack of tourist traffic at this time of year when millions travel to the mountains for the colorful autumn leaf season.<br /><br />Graves Mountain Lodge in Madison County is feeling the pinch at the time of year when their parking lots are usually blown out with vehicles and tourists:<br /><blockquote>"The next three weeks are going to be the main time for foliage," said Jimmy Graves with Graves Mountain Lodge on Thursday. "You've got the businesses on top of the mountain, they're closed and so ... yes it's an impact because you don't have the people here whether they'd come to eat lunch, some would spend the night, but they're going other places. Normally this time of year we would probably have another 50 people coming hiking, eating, would be more than 100 cars a day going to White Oak (Canyon), probably more than that going to Old Rag.<br /><br />"We are losing money from the park being closed - everyone around the park is losing money," he said.</blockquote>Some attractions are set to reopen on the Blue Ridge Parkway ... it's past time to reopen Shenandoah National Park. [<a href="http://www.roanoke.com/news/2291048-12/mabry-mill-other-parkway-attractions-poised-to-reopen.html">link</a>] <br /><br />End the government shutdown.

Blue Ridge Mountains Blue Ridge Parkway government shutdown Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive tourism Virginia Is For Lovers Madison supervisors ask Congress to reopen Shenandoah National Park

Wouldn't it be great to see every county adjoining Shenandoah National Park take the same action as the Madison County supervisors by as...

Read more »

Mabry Mill, others poised to open this weekend

This is great news! Hit the Blue Ridge Parkway to see the changing leaves and stop by the re-opened restaurants and attractions along the way. This would be a great way to help these businesses recover and get back on their feet after ten days of government shutdown.<br /><br />Check before going just to be sure they're open but the restaurant at Mabry Mill was hoping to be reopened this morning, and Peaks of Otter was hoping to be reopened for this weekend including lodging and restaurant, according to the Roanoke Times:<br /><blockquote>Mabry Mill will reopen today and the Peaks of Otter Lodge in Bedford County could be open by this weekend under agreements with the National Park Service, which had ordered parkway sites and concessionaires to close when the federal government shut down Oct. 1.<br /><br /> Radcliff was planning for a Friday reopening of Mabry Mill, though she had yet to hear from the park service Thursday afternoon. Robert Peters, the general manager of the Peaks of Otter Lodge, said he was “very optimistic” the lodge will be open by this weekend.</blockquote>Private businesses that are helping the federal government by running park concessions should not be forced to close during budget debates.

Blue Ridge Mountains Blue Ridge Parkway government shutdown Mabry Mill Peaks of Otter tourism Virginia Is For Lovers Mabry Mill, others poised to open this weekend

This is great news! Hit the Blue Ridge Parkway to see the changing leaves and stop by the re-opened restaurants and attractions along the wa...

Read more »